Who Is Robin Westman: Two Children Killed in Minneapolis Church–School Shooting

Tragedy struck in Minneapolis on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School during a morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others. The attack has left the community shaken and reignited concerns about the safety of schools and places of worship in the United States.

The incident occurred just days into the new school year at the parish school, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Witnesses said the shooter fired into the church through stained-glass windows while children and staff were gathered inside. Authorities later identified the assailant as 23-year-old Robin M. Westman, who carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. After the assault, Westman took her own life in the parking lot. Police found no explosives on site, though a smoke device was recovered.

Two students, aged eight and ten, were killed. Fourteen of the wounded were children, seven of them critically hurt. Medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center reported that several victims underwent emergency surgery. Doctors described the injuries as severe but said treatment was ongoing.

Investigators have yet to determine a motive, but officials revealed that Westman’s mother once worked at the school. The suspect had no major criminal record and appeared to have acted alone.

The shooting drew swift responses from religious and political leaders. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed sorrow, saying that when one child suffers, the whole Church grieves. Pope Leo XIV sent a message of condolence through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, calling the attack a “terrible tragedy” and offering prayers for victims, families, and first responders. In Washington, President Donald Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff until Sunday. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also addressed the public, with Frey emphasizing the cruelty of targeting children at prayer.

The violence comes just two days after a separate fatal shooting behind Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, another Catholic institution in Minneapolis. Police have found no link between the incidents, but their timing has intensified public concern.

Although the tragedy occurred in the United States, the implications resonate globally. In Nigeria, where schools and churches have also faced attacks, the events in Minneapolis highlight the urgent need for reinforced security around educational and religious institutions. They serve as a reminder that sanctuaries meant for learning and worship remain vulnerable and require vigilant protection.

Two young lives have been cut short, dozens more altered, and a community left reeling. The massacre at Annunciation Catholic School underscores the universal responsibility to safeguard children and uphold the sanctity of spaces dedicated to faith and education.

More news updates to follow up later, stay tuned.